CEOAFRICA.com received news from Lilongwe in Malawi that a pastor was charged to court for insulting the president of the country, Dr. Joyce Banda.

36-year old Andrew Kowedza, a pastor of an undisclosed Pentecostal church paid K3,000 fine and escaped being jailed for 6 months. It was alleged that his outburst against the president is likely to breach public peace.

Speaking at the court session, Police Publicist for Dedza police Sergeant Edward Kabango said the pastor was travelling from Blantyre to Lilongwe in a Nissan salon car with registration number MH 3952 when traffic police at Chimbiya in Dedza fined the driver of the car K5,000 for over-speeding.

“The driver paid the fine. However, before the car started off, Kowedza started making serious allegations against the Head of State. He claimed he knew that all spot fines being collected by traffic police officers are being used by the President to enrich herself,” Kabango said.

Kowedza was arrested and appeared before the court where he pleaded guilty.

Speaking further, Kabango said, ”In mitigation, Kowedza asked the court for leniency saying he looks after his aged mother who is suffering from stroke and further said if he goes to jail, then his evangelism ministry will die.”

While delivering his judgement, First Grade Damiano Chibwana Banda said the offender should pay a sum of K3,000 fine or in default should serve a six month jail term, although Kowedza was a first time offender and admitted guilty in court.